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For several months we have all heard in the news of the potential epidemic that could kill millions. The words "bird flu" or "Avian Influenza" strikes fear into the minds of many, much like the words "cancer" or "HIV". But how much is hysteria and media hype?What are the real facts about bird flu? Is there going to be an epidemic? And finally, are people living with HIV more at risk for bird flu? Let's address these questions and others.

What is Avian Bird Flu?

As is the case in humans, the word flu is used for a collection of viruses that cause similar symptoms. In the case of bird flu, these viruses occur naturally in wild birds all over the world. Most birds carry the virus in their intestinal tract and do not get sick. However, because bird flu is very contagious among birds, domisticated birds such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys can be infected by wild birds. Those domisticated birds can, in turn, spread the virus throughout the flock, causing widespread illness and death.

One type of bird flu, Bird Flu Influenza A or H5N1 is very contagious and deadly and has been known to spread from birds to humans. It is this type of bird flu that experts worry will cause a worldwide influenza pandemic which could result in millions of deaths.

What's The Concern Regarding Humans And Bird Flu?

The influenza A virus, the type found in birds and humans, has been known to change and mutate often. That's the reason we need flu shots every year, to protect us from the new variations of human influenza a. The primary concern is that the bird flu virus could mutate, inabling it to spread from birds to humans and then from humans to other humans. Imagine a chicken coup with thousands of chickens, bird flu spreading from one chicken to another. Now imagine a crowded movie theater or airplane filled with people. A mutated bird flu could spread from person to person much the same way as it would in a chicken coup. The big difference between people and chickens is that humans travel farther distances more often, providing a way to spread the flu farther and faster away from the original location, eventually resulting in a worldwide pandemic.

What are the Symptoms of Bird Flu?

The symptoms can vary, depending upon which strain of virus causes the infection. The most common symptoms include:

• fever
• cough
• sore throat
• muscle aches
• eye infections
• pneumonia
• severe respiratory distress

Is There a Vaccine That Protects Against Bird Flu?

Unlike human influenza a, there is currently no vaccine that would protect humans from the bird flu. There are studies taking place around the world, but as of now there is no vaccine available.

Influenza Vaccine Fact Sheet

Will The Predicted Pandemic Ever Occur?

Many experts feel a pandemic (an epidemic over a very large area) is inevitable. Others are not so sure. Right now, the spread of the bird flu to humans has been rare, occuring mainly among Asian poultry workers. And even more rare is the spread of bird flu from human to human. In those cases, the spread has been very self-limiting, usually ending after one person has been infected. So for now, there is no pandemic and nobody can say for sure that there will be one.

Seasonal Flu vs. Pandemic Flu - What's the Difference

Is A Treatment Available?

Some antiviral medications have shown to be somewhat effective in fighting off the bird flu. Studies continue to evaluate just how effective those antiviral medications are. The manufacturer of one medication, Tamiflu, is so confident they have opened a new manufacturing plant to meet the potential demand if a pandemic does occur.

Are HIV+ People More at Risk?

Right now, there is little any of us can do to completely protect ourselves from a pandemic, if one occurs. It's not really known if HIV positive people will be more at risk. The more pressing issue is making sure you get your yearly flu vaccine. We know that can help prevent influenza a, which can be pretty serious in HIV people people. As for a bird flu pandemic, we will all have to wait and see what the experts find out.

_{Sources: Centers for Disease Control; October 17, 2005.}